Miss Virginia becomes the first married woman and mother to win Miss USA
Justus Kelley, a foster mother and nonprofit founder, has been crowned Miss USA 2026. She is the first married woman, mother, and woman in her 30s to win the title since the pageant updated its eligibility rules in 2023.
Why it matters
The win marks a cultural shift in traditional beauty pageants, reflecting broader societal changes regarding inclusivity and the roles of women.
Miss Virginia USA 2026 Justus Kelley is crowned Miss USA 2026. Ivan Apfel/Getty Images Miss Virginia Justus Kelley was crowned the new Miss USA in Miami on Thursday night. She will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November. Kelley is a foster mom of two. She's also the first married woman to win Miss USA. A new Miss USA has been crowned. Miss Virginia Justus Kelley was named the winner of the 75th annual Miss USA pageant on Thursday night at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. She was crowned by Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert . Kelley, 31, is a foster mom of two, a nonprofit founder, and a children's book author. She dresses exclusively in secondhand or sponsored clothing for pageants, as she said in her Miss USA bio, to show that "pageantry can be accessible."
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